Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are on the verge of being eliminated from the Asia Cup 2022. After losing their first two games to Afghanistan, they will face off in an elimination match, with the loser team exiting the tournament. However, ahead of the important match, both teams have engaged in a verbal brawl, lastly entered Mahela Jayawardene.
Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon was not pleased with the statement. When asked about Shanaka’s remark during a press conference on Wednesday, Mahmud said that if Bangladesh has only two world-class bowlers, Sri Lanka has none.
“I don’t know why Dasun made that comment. Definitely, Afghanistan has a better squad. He said we have only two bowlers in our line-up, but I don’t see any bowlers in Sri Lanka. At least Bangladesh has world-class bowlers like Mustafiz and Shakib. They don’t even have that. It is not about the words. It is about how you play the game,” Sujon said.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has entered the fray. He retweeted a video clip of Mahmud's statement, urging the Sri Lankan team to demonstrate class.
“Looks like it’s time for @OfficialSLC bowlers to show the class and batters to show who they are on the field,” Jayawardene tweeted.
While Sri Lanka lost their opening game to Afghanistan by 8 wickets, Bangladesh too surrendered to Mohammad Nabi’s army of spinners.
Now, the game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the decider for the second spot from Group B in the Super Four.